Physical Therapist Salary in Madison, AL: $96,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Madison, AL earns a median $96,881/year (≈ $46.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Madison's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $110,217 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Madison is projected to reach a median annual figure of $96,881, reflecting local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and BEA Regional Price Parities. The salary range for this profession spans from $74,605 at the 10th percentile to $127,060 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability in pay that can result from differing practice settings and individual qualifications. This competitive salary landscape is especially influenced by trends in cash-pay sports and orthopedic specialties, which often command higher rates and elevate top-end compensation for therapists in the area. Given that the national median for salaries in this field stands at $105,288, Madison's figures suggest a modestly lower earning potential, but with a growing job market that supports opportunities for specialization.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,605 | $35.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,915 | $39.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,881 | $46.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,447 | $55.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,060 | $61.09 |
Median Salary Position
7.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,455 (2026 est.). At $96,881, the local median is 7.98% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Madison median: $96,881/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,365 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.98% less |
Physical Therapists in Madison, AL earn a median of $96,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.98% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $99,365.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $96,881 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,217 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,299
2025 BLS Actual
$94,555
2026 Current Est.
$96,881
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,299 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,985 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,917 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,749 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,846 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,555 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,264 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,299 (2019) to $94,555 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,264 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,965 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,605 – $81,915 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,915 – $96,881 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,881 – $114,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,447 – $127,060 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Madison
In Madison, there are currently nine physical therapists employed, making for a relatively small but competitive job market. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 87.9, indicates that expenses are lower than the national average, allowing for greater purchasing power from salaries within the field. Employers that tend to offer the most competitive pay include outpatient orthopedic clinics, whether private practices or larger chains like Athletico, as well as hospital systems that may offer rehabilitation services. The disparity in pay can also be attributed to productivity expectations set by employers, which often influence how much therapists earn based on the number of treatment sessions they complete. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Madison, pursuing advanced board certifications like Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) can open doors to higher salary brackets. Additionally, therapists may benefit from considering cash-pay models or practices that prioritize specialized services, as these formats tend to yield higher compensation compared to traditional insurance-based frameworks.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $94,555 for physical therapistsin the Madison metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madison is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov